Reel driving device for a web transporting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A web transporting apparatus employs a reel driving spindle incorporating a friction clutch that is influenced by the radial load applied to the spindle. During normal operation of the apparatus, the winding torque that the spindle imparts to the reel is determined by the weight of the reel and the web wound thereon. During a rapid winding mode of operation, an additional radial load is applied to the spindle by a freely rotatable pressure roller or the equivalent to increase the torque transmitted to the reel through the spindle.

linited States Patent [191 Easterly [451 Aug. 27, 1974 REEL DRIVINGDEVICE FOR A WEB TRANSPORTING APPARATUS Donald 0. Easterly, Rochester,NY.

Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY.

Filed: Oct. 3, 1972 Appl. No.: 294,709

Inventor:

Assignee:

US. or. 242/207, 242/67.5 rm. Cl. Bllb 15/32, G03b 1/04 Field of Search242/75-75. 5 20 1;297,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1941 Whittaker 242/207 9/1945Underhill 242/206 3/1959 Moore i. 242/204 10/1964 Cisar 242/207 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France Germany Primary Examiner-Leonard 0.Christian Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mr. J. Morrow [5 7] ABSTRACT A webtransporting apparatus employs a reel driving spindle incorporating afriction clutch that is influenced by the radial load applied to thespindle. During normal operation of the apparatus, the winding torquethat the spindle imparts to the reel is determined by the weight of thereel and the web wound thereon. During a rapid winding mode ofoperation, an additional radial load is applied to the spindle by afreely rotatable pressure roller or the equivalent to increase thetorque transmitted to the reel through the spindle.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures REEL DRIVING DEVICE FOR A WEB TRANSPORTINGAPPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thepresent invention relates to web transporting mechanisms and, moreparticularly, to improved means for varying the torque delivered todrive the web during different modes of operation of the mechanism.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is known to use weight sensitiveclutches to drive the spindles of web transporting mechanisms. Forexample, it is common to use such a clutch in motion picture projectorswhere film is intermittently advanced and then the film is wound upon atake-up spindle. While the clutches are effective to maintain a desiredtension between the take-up reel and the film advancing mechanism duringa normal projection, they are not normally effective to permit rapiddriving of the film. Thus, it is frequently necessary to use auxiliarydrive means to impart rotation to the spindle. The present invention isintended to eliminate the need for auxiliary drive means by assuringthat the weight sensitive clutch provides the necessary torque for rapidwinding of the film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is toeliminate the necessity for an auxiliary drive means for a webtransporting mechansim by providing more positive drive through anexisting weight sensitive clutch means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means forselectively changing the operation of a weight sensitive clutch betweenlow torque and high torque conditions.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanismsuitable for use in a motion picture projector having a weight sensitiveclutch for driving a takeup spindle, the mechanism being suitable forselectively changing the condition of the clutch between low torque(slow winding mode of operation) and high torque (rapid winding mode ofoperation) conditions.

Briefly, these and other related objects are realized in accordance withthe present invention by combining a weight sensitive spindle with apressure roller or the equivalent that is movable into engagement withthe driven member of the spindle for imparting a greater load theretofor increasing the torque transmitting capacity of the spindle clutchduring a rapid winding mode of operation.

The invention, and its objects and advantages will become apparent inthe detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of thepreferred embodiment presented below, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative reel spindlemechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectioned side elevational view of themechanism depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic end elevational view of the subjectmechanism adjusted to its rapid winding or high torque mode ofoperation;

FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 3 but shows the illustrative mechanismadjusted to its slow winding or low torque mode of operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Because motionpicture projectors and other related apparatus are well known, thefollowing description is directed in particular to those elementsforming part of or cooperating directly with the present invention,elements not specifically shown or described herein being understood tobe selectable from those known in the art.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, theillustrative take-up reel spindle will be seen to comprise a drivingmember 10 in coaxial supporting relation with a driven member 12. Thedriving member includes a shaft 14 rotatably supported in a bushing 16carried by a frame plate 18. A pulley 20 is secured near one end ofshaft 14 and is connected by an elastic belt 22 to a smaller pulley 24on a motor 26. At its opposite end, the driving member is provided witha drum 28 having a cylindrical internal bore 30 concentric with its axisof rotation.

Driven member 12 comprises a cylindrical clutch head 32 that isrotatably received in the bore of drum 28 with the central section orhub 34 of the driven member projecting beyond the drum. A retainingcollar 36 fits over drum 28 and is held in place by ears 38 which arebent over drum 28. The hub 34 of the driven member projects through anaperture 40 in collar 36, thereby maintaining the two members 10 and 12in relatively rotatable assembled relation to each other. Hub 34, inturn, extends through an opening 42 in the projector housing 44 andcarries an arbor 46 adapted to support a film take-up reel 48. As iswell known in the art, reel 48 is removably retained on the arbor by aspring loaded detent ball 50 or the equivalent and is engaged by a keyor spline 52 to prevent relative rotation between the reel and thedriven spindle member.

A selector lever 54 is pivotally supported to a spacer stud 56 on theframe plate by pivot screw 58 and extends through a slot 60 in theprojector housing so that a handle portion 62 of the lever is accessibleto the machine operator. A pressure wheel 64 is mounted to the selectorlever in alignment with the hub of member 12 by means of an axle screw66 threaded into a spacer stud 68 which is secured to the lever.Preferably, the pressure wheel is provided with a resilient surface 70,but as this feature is directed only to quiet operation it is notessential to the functioning of the mechanism.

A coil spring 72 is tensioned between spacer stud 68 of lever 54 and ananchoring stud 74 mounted to the projector housing by suitable meanssuch as a screw 76. Because of the positioning of anchoring stud 74,pivot screw 66 and spacer stud 68 on lever 54, spring 72 exerts a detentor off-center influence on the selector lever to maintain it either inan inoperative or disengaged position (as shown in FIG. 4) or in itsoperative or engaged position (as shown in FIGS. 1-3). When lever 54 isin its inoperative position, which is defined by the abutment of lever54 against end surface 78 of slot 60, pressure wheel 64 is removed fromengagement with the spindle. When the lever is in its operativeposition, however, the wheel is urged radially against the hub 34 ofdriven member 12 by spring 72 and lever 54 remains a spaced distancefrom the end surface 80 of slot 60.

During the normal projection mode of operation, lever 54 is located inits inoperative position and motor 26 drives spindle member continuouslyin the direction in which the corresponding rotation of reel 48 causes afilm strip 82 to be wound thereon. Because the driven member of thespindle is rotatable relative to the driving member, the winding torqueimparted to the reel is transmitted through the spindle only by thefrictional engagement between drum 28 of the driving member and clutchhead 32 of the driven member. The amount of friction developed betweenthose two clutch elements is, in turn, related to the radial force orload exerted on the driven member by the reel and the film strip woundthereupon. Since the effect of this force at the friction surfaces isaccentuated by the cantilevered relation of the reel to the clutchelements, the initial torque transmitting capacity of the spindle isdetermined primarily by the weight of the reel, and the winding torqueimparted to the reel increases as additional film is wound thereon. Thisresults in a more uniform tension on the film than would result if thewinding torque remained constant. During the projection mode ofoperation, the driving member rotates considerably faster than thedriven member and the film tension is maintained such that damage doesnot occur to the film and the operation of the film advancing mechanismremains undisturbed.

To initiate the rapid winding mode of operation, lever 54 is moved toits operative position and the film advancing mechanism is disabled,either manually or by means or a coordinating mechanism operated by theselector lever. Because the radial force or load exerted on member 12 bypressure wheel 64 is substantially greater than the similar forcepreviously attributable to the weight of the reel, the torquetransmitting capacity of the spindle is substantially increased. At thistime there is little or no relative movement between the drive member 10and the driven member 12. Consequently, the reel is now driven in thesame direction as before but with relatively high speed and torque toperform the rapid winding operation. After a desired amount of film hasbeen wound onto the reel, the return movement of the selector lever toits inoperative position restores the subject mechanism to its originalmode of operation.

The invention has been described in detail with partiaular reference toan illustrative preferred embodi ment thereof, but it will be understoodthat variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit andscope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for winding a web material into a roll, the apparatushaving a frame, drive means supported by the frame for supplying adriving torque, clutch means including a driving element coupled to thedrive means and a driven element coupled to the driving element toreceive and transmit torque from the driving element as a function of aforce applied to the driven element, said driving and driven elements ofsaid clutch means being rotatably about an axis, means coupled to thedriven element of the clutch means for supporting the web material suchthat it may be wound into a roll,

and force applying means supported by said frame, said force applyingmeans comprising:

a. a lever pivotally supported by said frame for movement between firstand second positions; and

b. a circular member rotatably supported by said lever and positionableby said lever to (l) a first position when said lever is in its firstposition wherein said member is in engagement with said driven elementof said clutch means and is effective to apply a force to said drivenelement of said clutch means in a direction substantially perpendicularto said axis, and to (2) a second position when said lever is in itssecond position wherein said member is out of engagement with saiddriven element of said clutch means.

2. In apparatus for winding a web material into a roll, the apparatushaving a frame, drive means supported by said frame for supplying adriving force in one direction, friction clutch means including adriving element coupled to said drive means and a driven elementfrictionally coupled to said driving element to receive and transmittorque from said driving element, and means coupled to said drivenelement of said clutch means for supporting said web material such thatit may be wound into a roll, the improvement comprising:

force applying means supported by said frame for adjusting the torquetransmitted from the driving element to the driven element while thedrive means supplies the driving force in said one direction, said forceapplying means being adjustable between (1) a first condition wherein afirst driving torque is transmitted from said driving element to saiddriven element, said first driving torque being a function of thefriction coupling between said driving element and said driven elementand of the force supplied to said driven element of said clutch means bythe weight of the roll of web material, and (2) a second conditionwherein said force applying means is effective to apply an additionalforce to said driven element of said clutch means to increase thefriction coupling between the driving element and the driven elementsuch that a second and larger driving torque is transmitted from saiddriving element to said driven element.

3. In apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said driving and drivenelements of said clutch means and said web supporting means arerotatable about an axis and wherein said force' applying means when inits second position is effective to apply a force to said driven elementof said clutch means in a direction substantially perpendicular to saidaxis.

4. In apparatus as set forth in claim I wherein said force applyingmeans further comprises a spring member coupled to said frame and saidlever in an offcenter manner to hold said lever alternatively in itsfirst or second positions and to urge said circular member against saiddriven element of said clutch member when said lever is in its firstposition.

5. In combination with a reel spindle comprising a rotatively powereddriving member and a reel supporting driven member supported by saiddriving member in co-axial relation thereto by a frictional clutchdevice adapted to transmit torque from said driving member to saiddriven member in proportion to a first friction producing force exertedon said driving member by the weight of a reel supported on said drivenmember and the weight of the material wound onto said reel, theimprovement comprising an adjustable force increasing member comprisinga freely rotatable wheel movable between a disengaged position spacedfrom said driven member and an engaged position wherein said wheelengages said driven member for selectively applying a second frictionproducing force to said driven member to substantially increase theamount of torque frictionally transmittable through said clutch devicefrom said driving member to said driven member and to the reel supportedthereby.

6. The invention defined by claim 5 wherein said wheel is positionedwith respect to said driven member to bear radially against said drivenmember when said wheel is in its engaged position.

7. In combination with a reel spindle comprising a rotatably powereddriving member and a reel supporting driven member supported by saiddriving member in co-axial relation thereto by frictional clutch deviceadapted to transmit torque from said driving member to said drivenmember in proportion to a first friction producing force exerted on saiddriven member by the weight of a reel which is supported on said drivenmember in a cantilever relation and the weight of the material woundonto said reel, the improvement comprising an adjustable forceincreasing member for selectively applying a second friction producingforce to said driven member to substantially increase the amount oftorque frictionally transmittable through said clutch device from saiddriving member to said driven member and to the reel supported thereby,said adjustable force increasing member being movable between adisengaged position spaced from said spindle and an engaged positionwherein said force increasing member engages said driven member betweensaid clutch device and said reel and applies said second frictionproducing force radially to said driven member.

8. The invention defined by claim 7 wherein said force applying membercomprises a freely rotatable wheel movable edgcwise between itsdisengaged position and its engaged position, said driven memberincluding a cylindrical surface engageable by the periphery of saidwheel between said clutch device and said reel when said wheel isadjusted to its engaged position.

9. The invention defined by claim 8 including spring means urging saidwheel radially against said cylindrical surface of said driven memberwhen said wheel is in its engaged position.

1. Apparatus for winding a web material into a roll, the apparatushaving a frame, drive means supported by the frame for supplying adriving torque, clutch means including a driving element coupled to thedrive means and a driven element coupled to the driving element toreceive and transmit torque from the driving element as a function of aforce applied to the driven element, said driving and driven elements ofsaid clutch means being rotatably about an axis, means coupled to thedriven element of the clutch means for supporting the web material suchthat it may be wound into a roll, and force applying means supported bysaid frame, said force applying means comprising: a. a lever pivotallysupported by said frame for movement between first and second positions;and b. a circular member rotatably supported by said lever andpositionable by said lever to (1) a first position when said lever is inits first position wherein said member is in engagement with said drivenelement of said clutch means and is effective to apply a force to saiddriven element of said clutch means in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to said axis, and to (2) a second position when said leveris in its second position wherein said member is out of engagement withsaid driven element of said clutch means.
 2. In apparatus for winding aweb material into a roll, the apparatus having a frame, drive meanssupported by said frame for supplying a driving force in one direction,friction clutch means including a driving element coupled to said drivemeans and a driven element frictionally coupled to said driving elementto receive and transmit torque from said driving element, and meanscoupled to said driven element of said clutch means for supporting saidweb material such that it may be wound into a roll, the improvementcomprising: force applying means supported by said frame for adjustingthe torque transmitted from the driving element to the driven elementwhile the drive means supplies the driving force in said one direction,said force applying means being adjustable between (1) a first conditionwherein a first driving torque is transmitted from said driving elementto said driven element, said first driving torque being a function ofthe friction coupling between said driving element and said drivenelement and of the force supplied to said driven element of said clutchmeans by the weight of the roll of web material, and (2) a secondcondition wherein said force applying means is effective to apply anadditional force to said driven element of said clutch means to increasethe friction coupling between the driving element and the driven elementsuch that a second and larger driving torque is transmitted from saiddriving element to said driven element.
 3. In apparatus as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said driving and driven elements of said clutch meansand said web supporting means are rotatable about an axis and whereinsaid force applying means when in its is effective to apply a force tosaid driven element of said clutch means in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to said axis.
 4. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1wherein said force applying means further comprises a spring membercoupled to said frame and said lever in an off-center manner to holdsaid lever alternatively in its first or second positions and to urgesaid circular member against said driven element of said clutch memberwhen said lever is in its first position.
 5. In combination with a reelspindle comprising a rotatively powered driving member and a reelsupporting driven member supported by said driving member in co-axialrelation thereto by a frictional clutch device adapted to transmittorque from said driving member to said driven member in proportion to afirst friction producing force exerted on said driving member by theweight of a reel supported on said driven member and the weight of thematerial wound onto said reel, the improvement comprising an adjustableforce increasing member comprising a freely rotatable wheel movablebetween a disengaged position spaced from said driven member and anengaged position wherein said wheel engages said driven member forselectively applying a second friction producing force to said drivenmember to substantially increase the amount of torque frictionallytransmittable through said clutch device from said driving member tosaid driven member and to the reel supported thereby.
 6. The inventiondefined by claim 5 wherein said wheel is positioned with respect to saiddriven member to bear radially against said driven member when saidwheel is in its engaged position.
 7. In combination with a reel spindlecomprising a rotatably powered driving member and a reel supportingdriven member supported by said driving member in co-axial relationthereto by frictional clutch device adapted to transmit torque from saiddriving member to said driven member in proportion to a first frictionproducing force exerted on said driven member by the weight of a reelwhich is supported on said driven member in a cantilever relation andthe weight of the material wound onto said reel, the improvementcomprising an adjustable force increasing member for selectivelyapplying a second friction producing force to said driven member tosubstantially increase the amount of torque frictionally transmittablethrough said clutch device from said driving member to said drivenmember and to the reel supported thereby, said adjustable forceincreasing member being movable between a disengaged position spacedfrom said spindle and an engaged position wherein said force increasingmember engages said driven member between said clutch device and saidreel and applies said second friction producing force radially to saiddriven meMber.
 8. The invention defined by claim 7 wherein said forceapplying member comprises a freely rotatable wheel movable edgewisebetween its disengaged position and its engaged position, said drivenmember including a cylindrical surface engageable by the periphery ofsaid wheel between said clutch device and said reel when said wheel isadjusted to its engaged position.
 9. The invention defined by claim 8including spring means urging said wheel radially against saidcylindrical surface of said driven member when said wheel is in itsengaged position.